A student from the Department of Computer Science at Cihan University – Erbil Develops a Project on Ground-Based Defense System

On Sunday, April 27, 2025, the Department of Computer Science at Cihan University – Erbil proudly spotlighted the outstanding innovation of fourth-stage student Saliem Haji, under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Dr. Laith R. Flaih, who successfully developed a project titled “Ground-Based Defense System (GBDS).” This achievement marks a significant milestone in the department’s commitment to practical, high-impact research and student-led innovation.

The project gained significant public attention when it was featured in a special report by AVA TV Channel. During the broadcast, Saliem was praised as a “genius” innovator, and the segment highlighted the importance of empowering young minds to contribute to national and global technological advancement.

The GBDS is a forward-thinking defense solution designed to address modern military challenges posed by emerging threats such as drone swarms, hypersonic missiles, and cyber-physical attacks. Traditional defense systems often fall short in detecting and responding to these fast-evolving threats. In response, the student project introduces a hybrid defense model that integrates machine learning, real-time surveillance, and manual engagement controls delivering both precision and reliability.

The GBDS prototype is a functional defense system that combines Arduino hardware with a Python-based GUI and Roboflow machine learning models for real-time aerial threat detection. Its modular and affordable design makes it ideal for both military adaptation and educational use.

In controlled lab conditions, the system demonstrated consistent success in identifying and responding to simulated threats. While further development is required for full-scale deployment, the project lays a strong foundation for future exploration of AI-powered defense technologies.